Improved modular transport system with subdivision element and method for modular subdivision of transport container or frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a transport system comprising a transport container or frame and a subdivision element, the subdivision element comprising upright strips of flexible material and a group of cross-beams, the upright strips extending into the interior of the transport container or transport frame, the upright strips dividing the transport container or transport frame into separate compartments, the upright strips being attached to the group of cross-beams, wherein the cross-beams are detachably connected to a top side of the transport container or the transport frame. The invention also relates to a method for dividing a transport container or frame.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a modular transport system.

In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method for modularsubdivision of a transport container or frame.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use for transportinggoods using a transport container or frame and a subdivision element.

PRIOR ART

For the transport of general cargo, a transport container or frame isoften used as a means of transport. In the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame, provisions are often made that dividethe interior space into two or more compartments or segments. While atransport container generally consists of floor, wall and ceilingelements, a transport frame often consists of rigidly connectedhorizontal and vertical frame members, which, for example, also comprisea bottom, such as a grid or a plate, and several or more grid orplate-shaped walls. Transport containers and frames have defineddimensions that make it possible to precisely match the transportfacilities for the transport of such transport containers and frames tothese dimensions. This means that regardless of the size, shape andother special features of the various general cargo, transportfacilities, such as for example trucks, forklifts, transport lines andcranes, can be used in the long term, without having to adapt them toconstantly changing dimensions of the transport containers or frames.

In order to use a transport container or frame with defined externaldimensions for the transport of general cargo that may differ from eachother in size and shape, among other things, the interior is dividedinto suitable compartments or segments with the aid of subdivisionelements. Such subdivision elements can themselves be rigid andinflexible, such as, for example, boards, floors, walls. Othersubdivision elements are made of flexible materials.

A drawback of existing subdivision elements, both rigid and flexibleelements, is that after installation of the subdivision element, thesubdivision of a transport container or frame is more or less fixed. Therearrangement of a transport container or frame is very time-consumingand/or very expensive, as a result of which in many cases thesubdivision remains unchanged for the entire lifetime of a transportcontainer or frame or is changed only when absolutely necessary andtherefore rarely. There is therefore a need for a transport system whosesubdivision can be changed quickly, easily, flexibly, durably andinexpensively.

Such a device is known from EP 1 799 592, among others. EP '592describes a folding subdivision element for installation in a transportcontainer or frame, wherein the subdivision elements made of flexiblematerial, when installed, extend in separate planes placed one above theother or placed next to each other in the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame and divide it into separatecompartments. The subdivision elements are detachably attached to thetransport container or the transport frame by means of rigid elements.As a result, the subdivision elements can be easily and quickly replacedby other subdivision elements.

EP '592 further describes a transport system with a transport containeror frame and at least one subdivision element. The subdivision elementcan additionally be fastened to rigid elements on the upper side of thetransport container or the transport frame to provide additional supportfor the subdivision element.

This known device has the following drawback. Lying bars on the upperside of the transport container or frame are placed in holes in thetransport container or frame. Making the holes in the transportcontainer or transport frame is labour intensive and expensive and theholes are only made during manufacture of the transport container ortransport frame. This means that the lying bars can only be arranged ina limited number of positions in the transport container or transportframe, which severely limits the possibilities for changing thesubdivision of a transport container or frame. It is not possible tochange the possible positions of the lying bars on the upper side of thetransport container or frame afterwards, because in practice this meansa new transport container or frame, eliminating the advantage of using adifferent subdivision element to change the layout. The rigid elementsalso include upright rods and lying bars to which the flexible materialis attached. Similarly, the upright rods include holes through which thelying bars are arranged. These holes, too, are only made during themanufacturing of the subdivision element. This again means that thelying bars can only be arranged in a limited number of positions, whichseverely limits the possibilities for changing the subdivision of atransport container or frame if only the flexible material is replaced.Only if the upright rods of a subdivision element are replaced as well,is it possible to change the position of the lying bars. However, thisis an expensive and time-consuming operation and not a sustainablesolution.

Other examples of transport containers are given in U.S. Pat. No.6,601,928, WO 2007/082871, BE 1 021 348, US 2013/175912, WO 2007/039282and US 2013/126383.

The present invention aims to solve at least some of the above problemsor drawbacks.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a transport systemaccording to claim 1.

The transport system according to the present invention comprises atransport container or frame and a subdivision element. The subdivisionelement comprises upright strips of flexible material and a group ofcross-beams. The great advantage of this invention is that the uprightstrips are fixed to the group of cross-beams and that the cross-beamsare detachably connected to an upper side of the transport container orthe transport frame. This makes it possible to change the subdivision ofa transport container or frame quickly, easily, flexibly, durably andinexpensively. The subdivision element can be removed from the transportcontainer or the transport frame by detaching the cross-beams. Bydetaching the upright strips from the cross-beams, the upright stripscan be replaced to obtain a new subdivision element, whereby thecross-beams can be reused, which saves costs and material and is asustainable solution.

Preferred embodiments of the device are set out in claims 2 to 12.

A particular preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a deviceaccording to claim 10. In this embodiment, the transport container ortransport frame comprises a U-shaped or L-shaped profile at the top onat least two opposite sides, wherein the cross-beams near their endscomprise a notch, recess, or hook configured for hooking into theU-shaped or L-shaped profile. This is advantageous because the previouspositions of the cross-beams need not be taken into account whenimplementing the new subdivision element, because they can bedistributed freely over the U-shaped or L-shaped profiles. This is incontrast to a prior art transport container or frame where the possiblepositions of the beams are determined by holes at the top of thetransport container or transport frame. This increases flexibility. Thecross-beams can even be reused in new positions, which saves costs andmaterials and is a sustainable solution.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method accordingto claim 13. One of the advantages of this method is that a transportcontainer or frame can be laid out quickly, easily, flexibly, durablyand inexpensively by using a subdivision element with upright strips offlexible material and a group of cross-beams. Because the upright stripsare fixed to the cross-beams and because the cross-beams are detachablyconnected to an upper side of the transport container or the transportframe, it is possible to quickly and easily remove the subdivision andreplace it with a new subdivision.

Preferred embodiments of the method are described in the dependentclaims 14 to 16.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a use according toclaim 17. This use results in an economical transport of goods, whereinafter the transport the subdivision of a transport container or framecan be adapted quickly, easily, flexibly, durably and inexpensively torequirements for a new transport.

A preferred form of the method is described in dependent claim 18.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an upright according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an upright according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a transport system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a transport system according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a transport system according to yetanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detail representation of the upper side of a transportsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of theinvention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning ascommonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of theinvention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

In this document, ‘a’ and ‘the’ refer to both the singular and theplural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, ‘asegment’ means one or more segments.

The terms ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘consist of’, ‘consisting of’,‘provided with’, ‘include’, ‘including’, ‘contain’, ‘containing’, aresynonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence ofwhat follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of othercomponents, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from ordisclosed in the prior art.

In a first aspect, the invention concerns a transport system.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transport system comprises atransport container or frame and a subdivision element.

A transport container comprises a floor, walls and a ceiling. Saidfloor, said walls and said ceiling define a closed load volume. Theclosed load volume forms the interior of the transport container.

A transport frame comprises horizontal and vertical frame members. Afirst group of horizontal frame members forms a rectangular open floorof the transport frame and a second group of frame members forms arectangular open ceiling of the transport frame. Vertical frame membersconnect the horizontal frame members of the floor to the horizontalframe members of the ceiling. The vertical and horizontal frame memberscan be detachably connected, for instance by means of bolts and nuts, orfixedly, for instance by welding. Preferably, frame members are fixedlyconnected to each other. A plane formed by an edge of the floor, an edgeof the ceiling and connecting vertical frame members between said edgeof the floor and said edge of the ceiling is a wall of the transportframe. Said floor, ceiling and walls define an open load volume. Theopen load volume forms the interior of the transport frame. Optionally,the transport frame comprises a grid or plate as base on the horizontalframe members of the floor. Optionally, the transport frame comprises agrid or plate as a roof on the horizontal frame members of the ceiling.Optionally, the transport frame comprises on vertical frame members oneor more grids or plates for forming one or more fully or partiallyclosed wall parts. A base and/or roof and/or wall are advantageous forprotecting goods in the interior of the transport frame.

The transport container or transport frame is optionally foldable.

A subdivision element comprises upright strips of flexible material anda group of cross-beams. The use of flexible material for the strips isadvantageous for compactly folding a subdivision element, if necessaryfor storage, after removal from a transport container or frame. Anupright strip is formed as one piece from flexible material.Alternatively, an upright strip is formed by multiple pieces of flexiblematerial. The upright strips extend into the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame. The upright strips preferably extendfrom the ceiling to the floor of the transport container or thetransport frame. An upright strip forms an angle between −60° and 60°with the ceiling, preferably an angle between −70° and 70°, morepreferably an angle between −80° and 80°, even more preferably an anglebetween −85° and 85° and even more preferably 90°. The upright stripsdivide the interior into separate compartments. This is advantageous forthe separate storage and transport of goods in the interior of thetransport container or the transport frame. The goods rest here betweenthe upright strips of flexible material.

The upright strips are attached to the group of cross-beams. Thecross-beams are detachably connected to a top side of the transportcontainer or the transport frame. The cross-beams are preferablyconnected to the transport container or the transport frame parallel tothe ceiling. The weight of goods in the transport container or transportframe is transferred via the cross-beams to the top of the transportcontainer or transport frame. Because the cross-beams are detachablyconnected to the transport container or the transport frame, asubdivision element can be removed from the transport container or thetransport frame by detaching the cross-beams. By detaching the uprightstrips from the cross-beams, the upright strips can be replaced toobtain a new subdivision element, whereby the cross-beams can be reused,which saves time, costs and material.

According to a further embodiment, the subdivision element compriseslying strips of flexible material, so that the subdivision element canbe folded compactly for storage after removal from a transport containeror frame. The lying strips extend into the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame. The goods rest between the uprightstrips and on the lying strips. A lying strip is formed as one piecefrom flexible material. Alternatively, a lying strip is formed bymultiple pieces of flexible material. A lying strip forms an anglebetween −60° and 60° with an upright strip, preferably an angle between−70° and 70°, more preferably an angle between −80° and 80°, even morepreferably an angle between −85° and 85° and even more preferably 90°.The lying strips are sewn, welded, glued to the upright strips orconnected to the upright strips by any other suitable technique. Theupright and lying strips form a subdivision grid, comprising tubes.Walls of the tubes are formed by the upright and the lying strips. Asubdivision grid is advantageous for further subdividing the interior ofa transport container or frame into compartments.

According to one embodiment, an axis along the longitudinal direction ofa tube of the subdivision grid forms an angle of at least 1° and at most40° with the floor of the transport container or the transport frame.This is advantageous for easier loading or for easier unloading of goodsfrom the transport system, depending on whether goods are loaded orunloaded along the highest or lowest side of a tube.

The angle is preferably at least 5°, more preferably at least 10° andmore preferably at least 15°.

The angle is preferably at most 30°, more preferably at most 25° andmore preferably at most 20°.

According to one embodiment, the subdivision grid comprises at least oneside wall and/or rear wall, these walls being connected to at least oneof the strips. The said side walls and/or rear walls are preferably alsomade of flexible material, so that the subdivision element can be foldedcompactly for storage after removal from a transport container or frame.Said side wall and/or rear wall are sewn, welded, glued to the flexiblematerial or connected to the strips by any other suitable technique.Side walls and/or rear walls are preferably connected transversely tolying strips with strips of flexible material. Side walls and rear wallsare advantageous to prevent goods from falling out of the subdivisionelement and being damaged during transport.

According to one embodiment, the subdivision element comprises a firstgroup of uprights and beams and a second group of uprights and beams.The lying strips are arranged between the first and the second group ofuprights and beams. The lying strips are preferably arranged undertension between the first and the second group of uprights and beams.This is advantageous to prevent the lying strips from sagging under loadfrom goods on the lying strips. Preferably, the first group of uprightsand beams is arranged near a first wall and the second group of uprightsand beams near a second opposite wall. This is advantageous because as aresult virtually the entire interior of the transport container or thetransport frame is divided into compartments by the lying and uprightstrips. The uprights are preferably arranged transversely to the planeof the floor and the ceiling of the transport container or the transportframe. The uprights can be arranged along a transverse direction or alongitudinal direction of the floor of the transport container or thetransport frame. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art thatin case the uprights are arranged along the transverse direction of thefloor, the goods are preferably loaded and unloaded along thelongitudinal direction and vice versa. It will also be apparent to aperson skilled in the art that in the case of a subdivision grid whichcomprises at least one side wall and/or rear wall according to apreviously described embodiment, in the first case a side wall isparallel to the transverse direction of the floor and in the second casewith the longitudinal direction and that in the first case a rear wallis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the floor and in the secondcase with the transverse direction. Arranging the uprights according tothe transverse direction of the floor is, for instance, advantageous ifshort goods are stored and transported in the transport container or thetransport frame. Arranging the uprights along the longitudinal directionof the floor is advantageous, for example, if long goods are stored andtransported in the transport container or the transport frame.

A lying strip is attached at a first end to a beam of the first groupand at a second opposite end to a beam of the second group. The uprightsof the first and the second group are detachably connected to thetransport container or the transport frame.

According to a further embodiment, at least some of the beams of thefirst group are fixed to at least some of the uprights of the firstgroup by means of clamps. At least some of the beams of the second groupare fastened to at least some of the uprights of the second group bymeans of clamps. Preferably, at least the beam of the first group andthe beam of the second group, which are closest to the ceiling of thetransport container or the transport frame, are fixed to at least oneupright of the first group and the second group, respectively. A lyingstrip of flexible material attached at opposite ends to said beams ofthe first and second groups closest to the ceiling extends through theinterior of the transport container or transport frame. Underlying lyingstrips hereby also extend at least partially through the interior of thetransport container or the transport frame. Because these beams arefixed to at least one upright of the first and the second group, thelying strip has a fixed position in the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame along the longitudinal direction ofsaid upright. The use of a clamp is advantageous because the position ofthe lying strip along the longitudinal direction of said upright can befreely determined over the length of said upright. The clamp makes itpossible to divide a transport container or frame quickly and flexiblyby means of lying strips, without having to provide holes in theabove-mentioned upright. This saves operations and costs duringmanufacture of the subdivision element. Because the uprights of thefirst and the second group are detachably connected to the transportcontainer or the transport frame, a subdivision element can be removedfrom the transport container or the transport frame by detaching thegroup of cross-beams and the uprights of the first and the second group.By detaching the lying strips from the beams and the upright strips fromthe cross-beams, the lying and upright strips can be replaced to obtaina new subdivision element, whereby the beams can be reused, which savescosts and material and is a sustainable solution. When manufacturing thenew subdivision element, previous positions of the beams do not have tobe taken into account because they are fastened to the uprights withclamps and new positions of the beams are not limited by, for example,holes in the uprights, as with a transport system according to the priorart. This avoids the need to replace uprights, which saves time, costsand material when changing the subdivision.

Because the upright and lying strips are interconnected, it is notnecessary for each lying strip of flexible material to attach the beamsof the first and the second group, to which a lying strip is attached,to an upright of the first and second group, respectively. The uprightstrips are fastened to the cross-beams, whereby the lying strips aresuspended in the interior of the transport container or the transportframe and so that it is not always necessary to attach the beams of thefirst and second group to which the lying strips are attached to anupright of attach the first or the second group, respectively. As aresult, fewer clamps can be used, so that operations and clamps duringmanufacture and placement of the subdivision element can be saved, andthis can be done quickly and cost-efficiently.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that if a lying stripunder load of goods is insufficiently stable and sags, and as a result,for example, does not extend sufficiently through the interior of thetransport container or the transport frame, the beams of the first andthe second group to which said lying strip is attached are also attachedto at least one upright of the first or second group, respectively, tofix said strip in the interior of the transport container or thetransport frame.

According to one embodiment, a beam of the first group or the secondgroup which is fastened by means of a clamp to an upright of the firstgroup or the second group, respectively, is attached by means of a clampto at least a second upright of the first group, the second grouprespectively. A beam is preferably attached to a first upright at adistance of at most one third of its length at a first end and to asecond upright at a distance of at most one third of its length at anopposite second end. Preferably, said distance is at most one fourth ofthe length of the beam, more preferably at most one fifth of the lengthof the beam. This is advantageous because as a result, torsional forceson the beam due to a load on the lying strip of flexible material whichis attached to the beam are better absorbed.

According to one embodiment, a beam of the first group or the secondgroup, which is fastened by means of a clamp to an upright of the firstgroup or the second group, respectively, is attached to all uprights ofthe first group or the second group by means of a clamp. This isadvantageous if a lying strip of the subdivision element has to carryheavy goods, so that the forces on the beams to which the lying strip isattached are optimally transferred to uprights.

According to one embodiment, at least the beam of the first group andthe beam of the second group, which are closest to the ceiling of thetransport container or the transport frame, and at least the beam of thefirst group and the beam of the second group, which are closest to thefloor of the transport container or the transport frame, are attached toat least one upright of the first group and the second group,respectively. Preferably, the subdivision grid is stretched between thebeams closest to the ceiling of the transport container or the transportframe and the beams closest to the floor of the transport container orthe transport frame. This embodiment is advantageous because as a resultthe subdivision grid is fixedly positioned in the transport container orthe transport frame.

According to one embodiment, all beams of the first group and all beamsof the second group are fastened to at least all uprights of the firstand second group, respectively, by means of clamps. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous when heavy goods are carried by thesubdivision element, whereby the load by the heavy goods is transferredoptimally from the lying strips to the uprights.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that, depending on anexpected load from the goods to be transported, more or fewer beams arefastened to more or fewer uprights by means of clamps.

According to one embodiment, cross-beams, beams and uprights areextruded profiles. The profiles have a round, square or rectangularcross-section. Preferably, beams have a round cross-section. Preferably,cross-beams and uprights have a square or rectangular cross-section. Theprofiles are made of plastic or metal. The profiles are preferablyformed from metal. The profiles are preferably hollow. This isadvantageous for saving weight of the subdivision element. The beams anduprights are preferably formed from rigid profiles. This is advantageousto prevent the cross-beams, uprights and beams from sagging.

According to one embodiment, an upright comprises a hook element at afirst end and a connecting element at a second opposite end. The hookelement is configured for hooking into a recess in the transportcontainer or transport frame. The recess is a slot or circular openingin a horizontal frame member of the floor or ceiling of a transportframe or a slot or circular opening in the floor or ceiling of atransport container. The hook element has a shape which substantiallycorresponds to the recess. The hook element comprises a free end whichpreferably faces the interior of the transport container or thetransport frame or faces in the opposite direction. This is advantageousbecause in this way an upright can be hooked into the recess from insidethe interior, if the hook element is directed towards the interior, orfrom outside the interior, if the hook element is directed in theopposite direction, and erected until the connecting element ends upagainst the floor or the ceiling, depending on the position of therecess for the hook element, of the transport container or the transportframe. The connecting element is configured for detachably connectingthe upright to the transport container or transport frame. Thisembodiment is advantageous for quickly placing and detachably connectingan upright to the transport container or the transport frame. Due to theuse of a hook element, no additional material or operation is requiredfor detachably connecting the first end of the upright.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element comprises a pin anda spring and the transport container or the transport frame has holes.The holes are configured to receive the pin. The pin is pre-tensioned bythe spring in an initial position, with a first end of the pinprotruding from the upright along the longitudinal direction of anupright. The pin is preferably obliquely flattened or rounded at thefirst end so that the pin is moved to a second retracted position in theupright by contact with the transport container or the transport frame.When the pin is positioned at the height of a hole in the transportcontainer or the transport frame, the pin moves to the first positiondue to the spring tension, after which the upright is detachablyconnected to the transport container or the transport frame. The pinpreferably comprises a lever adapted to move the pin against the springforce of the spring. This simplifies the release of the upright. Thisembodiment is advantageous for detachably connecting an upright to atransport container or frame without the use of tools.

According to an alternative embodiment, the connecting element comprisesan eye or slot and the transport container comprises holes. The holesare arranged at regular or irregular distances in the transportcontainer. Preferably, the holes are arranged at regular intervals. Anupright can be detachably connected to the transport container or thetransport frame through the eye or the slot of the connecting element ina hole by means of a bolt. The bolt is secured by means of a nut.Alternatively, the hole is threaded, eliminating the need for a nut.This embodiment is advantageous due to the limited number of inexpensiveparts. In addition, the connection between an upright and a transportcontainer or frame cannot be accidentally disconnected during loading orunloading.

According to one embodiment, the uprights of a group form a plane. Theupright and lying strips of flexible material are substantially locatedon a first side of the plane. The beams of said group are located on anopposite second side of said plane. The lying strips of flexiblematerial extend through said plane to the beams. This embodiment isparticularly advantageous in combination with an embodiment in which atleast some of the beams of a group are not connected to uprights of saidgroup. When a lying strip is loaded by goods, the beams to which thelying strip is attached will move towards the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame. This movement is stopped by theuprights, although the beams are not fixed to them, so that a lyingstrip can only sag to a limited extent due to load. This is particularlyadvantageous in combination with the embodiments described above inwhich a strip or subdivision grid is clamped.

According to one embodiment, a clamp comprises a U-shape and atensioning means. The U shape includes a base and two legs. The two legseach comprise an opening, which are positioned opposite each other. Theopenings are configured to receive a beam. The cross-section of theprofile of the beams is complementary to the shape and dimensions of theopenings. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that thatmargins may apply. As in an embodiment described above, the upright isformed from a profile with a rectangular cross-section. The U-shape ispositioned around an upright, wherein the base of the U-shape preferablyabuts against a first side wall of the upright and wherein a legpreferably leans against a side wall transverse to the first side wallof the upright. The tensioning means is configured for clamping the legsabout an upright. The legs are herein pulled against the side wallstransversely to the first side wall. The beam is fitted in the openings.This embodiment is advantageous because it allows a beam to be flexiblyfixed over the entire length of an upright, without holes having to beprovided in the upright or having to make additional holes in theupright.

According to one embodiment, the openings in the legs of the clamp areholes, the shape and dimensions of which are substantially equal to thecross-section of the profile of the beams. The beam is arranged throughthe holes.

According to one embodiment, the openings in the legs of the clamp areU-shaped or C-shaped recesses. The cross section of the profile of thebeams is complementary to the U-shaped or C-shaped recess. The open sideof the U-shaped or C-shaped recess lies on an edge of one leg of theclamp. The beam is placed in the recess. This is advantageous for fastand simple fastening of a beam to an upright. A C-shaped recess is alsoadvantageous because a beam is snapped into the recess, so that the beamis fixed more firmly to the upright.

According to a further embodiment, a tensioning means comprises a boltand a cage nut. A first leg of the U-shape comprises a hole configuredto receive the bolt. The second leg of the U-shape comprises a recessconfigured for attaching the cage nut. The bolt can be screwed into thecage nut through the hole in the first leg and the recess in the secondleg. This embodiment is advantageous in that only standard parts areused for the tensioning means and that the tensioning means can betightened with a simple tool such as an Allen key, a wrench or ascrewdriver, depending on the type of bolt.

According to one embodiment, the flexible material is formed fromflexible plastic films between woven, braided or knitted fabrics ofnatural or synthetic fibres. Fabrics are beneficial for avoiding damageto goods stored or transported in the subdivision element. Particularpreference is given to technical textiles. Optionally, at least onereinforcing element is arranged in the flexible material, such as forinstance a profile or strip made of plastic or metal. The reinforcingelement or reinforcing elements are arranged so as not to hinder thefolding of the flexible material.

According to a further embodiment, the transport container or thetransport frame comprises a U-shaped or L-shaped profile at the top onat least two opposite sides. The U-shaped or L-shaped profile ispreferably arranged over the full length of said side. The U-shaped orL-shaped profile is fixedly attached to the transport container or thetransport frame. The U-shaped or L-shaped profile is glued, welded,bolted, riveted, pressed or attached to the transport container ortransport frame by any other suitable technique. The U-shaped orL-shaped profile is preferably arranged around the top side. Thecross-beams include near their ends a notch, recess or hook configuredfor hooking into the U-shaped or L-shaped profile. This embodiment isadvantageous for flexibly positioning cross-beams over the full lengthof the U-shaped or L-shaped profile. As a result, old positions of thecross-beams need not be taken into account when manufacturing a newsubdivision element. Cross-beams can be reused with a new subdivisionelement, which leads to less material and costs and so that a newsubdivision element can be provided more quickly.

Cross-beams, comprising a notch or recess at their ends, preferably havea rectangular or square cross-section, as in a previously describedembodiment. A rectangular or square cross-section simplifies theapplication of the notch or recess.

According to one embodiment, the group of cross-beams comprises a firstsubgroup of cross-beams which are attached to these cross-beamstransversely to cross-beams of a second subgroup of cross-beams. A gridof cross-beams is hereby formed. This embodiment is advantageous toprevent the cross-beams from sliding due to a heavy load.

According to one embodiment, a strip of flexible material is fastened toa beam or cross-beam by means of a loop formed by said strip. The loopis formed by folding the strip around the beam or cross-beam. The foldedstrip is sewn, stapled, glued or welded to the rest of the strip orwall. Preferably, the loop fits around the beam or cross-beam. As in apreviously described embodiment, the beam is preferably formed for thispurpose from a round profile. The loop is optionally stapled, glued,nailed, riveted to the beam or cross-beam or secured to the beam orcross-beam by any other suitable technique.

In combination with an embodiment described above, wherein the uprightsof a group form a plane, wherein the strips are located on a first sideand wherein the beams are located on a second opposite side, it isadvantageous that the loops are interrupted at the height of theuprights.

In combination with an embodiment described above, in which thecross-beams form a grid, it is advantageous that the loops areinterrupted at the intersections of the cross-beams.

According to an alternative embodiment, a strip of flexible material isattached to a beam or cross-beam by means of a hook. The strip comprisesa hook at one end, suitable for hooking to a beam or cross-beam. It willbe apparent to one skilled in the art that in the case of a lying strip,each end comprises a hook.

According to an alternative embodiment, a strip of flexible material isattached to a beam or cross-beam by means of a hook and loop fastener.The strip comprises a piece of hook and loop fastener at one end. Itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that in the case of a lyingstrip, each end comprises a piece of hook and loop fastener. A beam orcross-beam comprises a complementary piece of hook and loop fastener,suitable for attaching the piece of hook and loop fastener to one end ofa strip. Preferably, a strip of flexible material comprises at one end afirst piece of hook and loop fastener and a second complementary pieceof hook and loop fastener, suitable for forming a loop by adhering thefirst piece of hook and loop fastener to the second piece of hook andloop fastener. More preferably, a strip of flexible material comprisesat one end a ribbon having on a first side a first piece of hook andloop fastener and on a second opposite side a second complementary pieceof hook and loop fastener, adapted to form a loop by adhering the firstto the second piece of hook and loop fastener.

According to an alternative embodiment, a strip of flexible material isattached to a beam or cross-beam by means of a border. The beam orcross-beam includes a recess, configured to receive the border. Theborder is preferably an extruded profile.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that there are stillother suitable means for attaching a strip of flexible material to abeam or cross-beam. Therefore, the present invention is not limited tothe above embodiments.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for dividing atransport container or frame.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps ofproviding a subdivision element, comprising upright strips of flexiblematerial and a group of cross-beams; placing the subdivision element inthe interior of the transport container or the transport frame; andconnecting the cross-beam to the transport container or the shippingframe.

The upright strips extend into the interior of the transport containeror the transport frame. The upright strips divide the interior intoseparate compartments. This is advantageous for the separate storage andtransport of goods in the interior of the transport container or thetransport frame. The goods rest here between the upright strips offlexible material. The upright strips are attached to the cross-beams.The cross-beams are detachably connected to a top side of the transportcontainer or the transport frame. The cross-beams are preferablyconnected parallel to the ceiling to the transport container or thetransport frame. Because the upright strips are fixed to the cross-beamsand because the cross-beams are detachably connected to an upper side ofthe transport container or the transport frame, it is possible toquickly and easily remove the subdivision and replace it with a newsubdivision.

According to a further embodiment, the method comprises the additionalstep of providing lying strips. The lying strips extend into theinterior of the transport container or the transport frame. The uprightand lying strips divide the transport container or transport frame intoseparate compartments. The upright and lying strips form a subdivisiongrid. The advantages of a subdivision grid are as in a previouslydescribed embodiment of the system.

According to a further embodiment, the method comprises the additionalstep of providing a first group of uprights and beams and a second groupof uprights and beams. The lying strips are arranged between the firstand the second group of uprights and beams. The lying strips arepreferably arranged under tension between the first and the second groupof uprights and beams. This is advantageous to prevent the lying stripsfrom sagging under load from goods on the lying strips. Preferably, thefirst group of uprights and beams are arranged near a first wall and thesecond group of uprights and beams near a second opposite wall of thetransport container or the transport frame. This is advantageous becauseas a result virtually the entire interior of the transport container orthe transport frame is divided into compartments by the lying strips.The uprights are preferably arranged transversely to the plane of thefloor and the ceiling of the transport container or the transport frame.The uprights can be arranged according to a transverse direction or alongitudinal direction of the floor of the transport container or thetransport frame, depending on whether short or long goods are stored andtransported in the transport container or the transport frame.

A lying strip is attached at a first end to a beam of the first groupand at a second opposite end to a beam of the second group. The uprightsof the first and the second group are detachably connected to thetransport container or the transport frame. At least some of the beamsof the first group are fastened to at least some of the uprights of thefirst group by means of clamps. At least some of the beams of the secondgroup are fastened to at least some of the uprights of the second groupby means of clamps. Preferably, at least the beam of the first group andthe beam of the second group, which are closest to the ceiling of thetransport container or the transport frame, are fixed to at least oneupright of the first group and the second group, respectively. A lyingstrip of flexible material attached at opposite ends to said beams ofthe first and second groups closest to the ceiling extends through theinterior of the transport container or transport frame. Underlying lyingstrips hereby also extend at least partially through the interior of thetransport container or the transport frame. Because these beams arefixed to at least one upright of the first and the second group, thelying strip has a fixed position in the interior of the transportcontainer or the transport frame along the longitudinal direction ofsaid upright. The use of a clamp is advantageous because the position ofthe lying strip along the longitudinal direction of said upright can befreely determined over the length of said upright. The clamp makes itpossible to divide a transport container or frame quickly and flexibly,without having to provide holes in the above-mentioned upright. Thebeams and uprights of the first and second group can be manufacturedindependently of the subdivision to be obtained. Only the dimensions ofthe transport container or the transport frame need to be taken intoaccount. This saves time, operations and costs during the subdivision ofa transport container or frame.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the additional step ofrearranging the transport container or transport frame. The cross-beamsand, depending on the embodiment, the uprights of the first and thesecond group are detached from the transport container or the transportframe. Because the cross-beams and, depending on the embodiment, theuprights of the first and the second group are detachably connected tothe transport container or the transport frame, a subdivision elementcan be removed from the transport container or the transport frame bydetaching the cross-beams and any uprights of the first and the secondgroup. Another subdivision element is provided. The other subdivisionelement can be an existing subdivision element that is in storage. Theother subdivision element can be a new subdivision element. If thesubdivision element removed from the transport container or transportframe does not need to be retained for future use, for example becausethe strips of flexible material are worn out, the strips can be replacedto obtain a new subdivision element by detaching the said strips fromthe cross-beams and any beams, wherein the cross-beams and any beams canbe reused, saving time, cost and material. When manufacturing the newsubdivision element, the previous positions of the cross-beams and anybeams need not be taken into account. Because the beams are fastened tothe uprights with clamps, no new holes have to be made in the uprightsfor new positions of the beams, as is the case with a transport systemaccording to the prior art. This avoids the need to replace uprights,which saves time, costs and material when changing the subdivision. Whena subdivision element is replaced by a stored subdivision element, anyuprights can be reused. After all, by using the clamps, the uprights canbe easily and quickly detached from the beams, after which the uprightsare no longer connected to the subdivision element. As describedpreviously, the use of clamps means that it is not necessary to takeinto account whether positions of the beams are the same in the removedand the stored subdivision element. Again, time, costs and material canbe saved and there is a lot of flexibility in changing the subdivision.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the method ispreferably configured to obtain a transport system according to thefirst aspect and, consequently, that a transport system according to thefirst aspect can be obtained with a method according to the secondaspect. Each feature described herein, above as well as below, maytherefore relate to the three aspects of the present invention.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a use of a transportsystem according to the first aspect or a use of a method according tothe second aspect for transporting goods using a transport container orframe and a subdivision element.

This use results in an economical transport of goods, wherein after thetransport the subdivision of a transport container or frame can beadapted quickly, easily, durably, flexibly and inexpensively torequirements for a new transport.

According to a further embodiment, the transport container or thetransport frame and the subdivision element are included in a leasingsystem. The transport container or the transport frame and thesubdivision element are included in a transport system. The leasingsystem comprises a computer or server configured to run a program formanaging transport systems. The program has access to a database. Thedatabase includes data about the transport container or transport frame,the subdivision element arranged therein and a period over which atransport system is leased. The database preferably includes data onfuture lease periods of transport systems and the desired subdivision ofa transport system. Preferably, at the end of a lease period, theprogram selects a new lease period from the future lease periods forwhich the transport container or transport frame, with or withoutadjustment of the subdivision, is suitable. This embodiment isadvantageous because after a lease period ends of a transport system,comprising a transport container or frame and a subdivision element, thesubdivision of the transport system can be adapted quickly, simply,flexibly and cheaply to the needs of the same or a new customer for anew lease period, and wherein a majority of parts of the transportsystem, such as for instance the transport container or the transportframe and the beams and uprights, can be reused.

In what follows, the invention is described by way of non-limitingfigures illustrating the invention, and which are not intended to andshould not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an upright according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The upright (1) is formed from a metal profile with a rectangularcross-section. The upright (1) comprises a hook element (4) at a firstend and a connecting element (2) at a second opposite end. The hookelement (4) is configured for hooking into a circular opening in ahorizontal frame member of the floor or ceiling of the transportcontainer or transport frame. The connecting element (2) comprises aslot (3). The upright (1) can be detachably connected to a transportcontainer or frame through the slot (3) by means of a bolt.

Several clamps (5) are clamped around the upright (1). A clamp (5)comprises a U-shape and a tensioning means. The U-shape comprises a baseand a first leg (6) and a second leg (7). The base abuts against a firstside wall of the upright (1). This first side wall is not visible inFIG. 1 . The first leg (6) and the second leg (7) rest against sidewalls transverse to the first side wall of the upright (1). The firstleg (6) comprises a hole (8) and the second leg (7) a hole (9). Theholes (8) and (9) are configured to receive a beam. The shape anddimensions of the holes (8) and (9) are substantially equal to the crosssection of the profile of the beams. The holes (8) and (9) arepositioned opposite each other. The tensioning means comprises a bolt(10) and a cage nut (11). The first leg (6) includes a hole configuredto receive the bolt (10). The second leg (7) includes a recessconfigured for attaching the cage nut (11). The bolt (10) is screwedthrough the hole in the first leg (6) and the recess in the second leg(7) in the cage nut (11). As a result, the legs (6) and (7) are pulledagainst the side walls transversely to the first side wall of theupright (1).

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an upright according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

This upright is very similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A. In thisalternative embodiment, the hook element (4) is configured to hook intoa slot in a horizontal frame member of the floor or ceiling of thetransport container or transport frame. The first leg (6) comprises aC-shaped recess (8) and the second leg (7) a C-shaped recess (9). TheC-shaped recesses (8) and (9) are configured for snapping a beam intoplace.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a transport system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The transport system comprises a transport frame (16). The transportframe (16) comprises horizontal frame members (18) and (19) and verticalframe members (17). The horizontal frame members (18) form the ceilingof the transport frame (16). The horizontal frame members (19) form thefloor of the transport frame (16). The vertical frame members (17)connect the horizontal frame members (19) of the floor to the horizontalframe members (18) of the ceiling. Two vertical frame members (17) and ahorizontal frame member (18) and (19) form a first wall of the transportframe (16). Two vertical frame members (17) and a horizontal framemember (18) and (19) form a second opposite wall of the transport frame(16). The second wall is largely hidden in FIG. 2 by a subdivisionelement of the transport system. A first group of uprights (1) and beams(12) is arranged near the first wall and a second group of uprights (1)and beams (12) near the second wall. The uprights (1) are arranged alongthe transverse direction of the floor of the transport frame (16), as aresult of which the embodiment shown is suitable for storing andtransporting short goods in the transport frame (16). In the embodimentshown, all beams (12) of the first and second group are fixed to two ofthe four uprights (1) of the first and second group, respectively, bymeans of a clamp (5). The beams (12) are attached at a distance of atmost one fifth of their length at a first end to a first upright (1) ofthe said two of the four uprights (1) and at a distance of at most onefifth of their length at an opposite second end to a second upright (1)of said two of the four uprights (1).

The transport system comprises a subdivision element in the interior ofthe transport frame (16). The subdivision element comprises lying strips(13) of flexible material and the uprights (1) and the beams (12) of thefirst and the second group. The lying strips (13) are arranged betweenthe first and the second group of uprights (1) and beams (12). The lyingstrips (13) are attached to a beam (12) by means of a loop formed by thelying strips (13). The loops are interrupted at the height of theuprights (1). The uprights (1) of a group form a plane. The lying strips(13) and the upright strips (15) are located substantially on a firstside of the plane. The beams (12) of the same group are locatedsubstantially on a second opposite side of the plane. The lying strips(13) extend through said plane to the beams (12). The lying strips (13)are connected to each other by side walls (14) and upright strips (15).The lying strips (13), the side walls (14) and the upright strips (15)form a subdivision grid.

The transport frame (16) comprises at the top a U-shaped profile (25)which is welded around the top to the horizontal frame members (18).Cross-beams (23) of a first subgroup and cross-beams (24) of a secondsubgroup are detachably connected to the top side of the transport frame(16). The cross-beams (24) are fastened transversely to the cross-beams(23). The cross-beams (23) and the cross-beams (24) form a grid. Theside walls (14) and the upright strips (15) are attached to thecross-beams (23) with a loop. The loops are interrupted at the level ofthe cross-beams (24). Lying strips (13) are attached to the cross-beams(24) with loops at the height of the ceiling of the transport frame(16). The loops are interrupted at the level of the cross-beams (23).

The transport frame (16) comprises wheels (20), suitable for moving thetransport frame (16) in a simple manner. The wheels (20) preferablycomprise a braking mechanism. At least two wheels (20) near the samewall of the transport frame (16) are pivotable about a vertical axis, sothat maneuvering is simplified. The transport frame (16) comprises aprojection (21) at a lower end of the vertical frame members (17) and anopening (22) at an upper end of the vertical frame members (17). Theopening (22) is configured to receive the projections (21), throughwhich transport systems according to the present invention can bestacked on top of each other.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a transport system according to analternative embodiment of the present invention. This alternativeembodiment has no cross-beams (23).

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a transport system according to yetanother alternative embodiment of the present invention. Thisalternative embodiment has no cross-beams (24).

FIG. 3 shows a detail representation of the upper side of a transportsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Holes (27) are arranged at regular intervals in the horizontal framemember (18). An upright (1) can be detachably connected to the transportframe (16) by means of a bolt through a slot (3) in a hole (27). Thecross-beam (24) comprises a notch (26). By hooking the notch (26) in theU-shaped profile (25), the cross-beam (24) is detachably connected tothe top side of the transport frame (16). Such notches are also providedin the beams (23). These notches are not visible in FIG. 3 .

1. Transport system comprising a transport container or frame and asubdivision element, the subdivision element comprising upright stripsof flexible material and a group of cross-beams, the upright stripsextending into the interior of the transport container or transportframe, the upright strips dividing the transport container or transportframe into separate compartments, the upright strips being attached tothe group of cross-beams, wherein the cross-beams are detachablyconnected to a top side of the transport container or the transportframe.
 2. The transport according to claim 1, wherein the subdivisionelement comprises lying strips of flexible material, the lying stripsextending into the interior of the transport container or transportframe, the upright and lying strips dividing the transport container orthe transport frame into separate compartments and wherein the uprightand lying strips form a subdivision grid.
 3. The transport systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the subdivision grid comprises at leastone side wall and/or rear wall.
 4. The transport system according toclaim 2, wherein the subdivision element comprises a first group ofuprights and beams and a second group of uprights and beams, wherein thelying strips are arranged between the first and the second group ofuprights and beams, wherein a lying strip at a first end is attached toa beam of the first group and at an opposite second end is attached to abeam of the second group and wherein the uprights of the first and thesecond group are detachably connected to the transport container or thetransport frame.
 5. The transport system according to claim 4, whereinat least some of the beams of the first group are fastened to at leastsome of the uprights of the first group and at least some of the beamsof the second group are fastened to at least some of the uprights of thesecond group by means of clamps.
 6. The transport system according toclaim 5, wherein a clamp comprises a U-shape comprising a base and twolegs, and a tensioning means, the tensioning means being configured forclamping the legs about an upright and the two legs each comprising anopening, which are positioned opposite each other and which areconfigured to receive a beam.
 7. The transport system according to claim6, wherein the tensioning means comprises a bolt and a cage nut, whereina first leg of the U-shape comprises a hole configured to receive thebolt and wherein a second leg comprises a recess configured forfastening the cage nut, wherein the bolt can be screwed through the holein the first leg and the recess in the second leg into the cage nut. 8.The transport system according to claim 4, wherein an upright comprisesat a first end a hook element configured for hooking into a recess inthe transport container or transport frame and at a second opposite enda connecting element configured for detachably connecting the upright tothe transport container or transport frame.
 9. The transport systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the connecting element comprises an eye orslot and the transport container or the transport frame comprises holes,wherein an upright can be detachably connected to the transportcontainer or the transport frame by means of a bolt through the eye orthe slot of the connecting element in a hole of the transport containeror the transport frame.
 10. The wherein system according to claim 1,wherein the transport container or the transport frame comprises aU-shaped or L-shaped profile at the top on at least two opposite sides,wherein the U-shaped or L-shaped profile is fixedly attached to thetransport container or the transport frame, and wherein the cross-beamsclose to their ends include a notch, recess or hook configured forhooking into the U-shaped or L-shaped profile.
 11. The transport systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the uprights of a group of uprights andbeams form a plane, wherein the strips of flexible material are locatedsubstantially on a first side of the plane and the beams of said groupare located on an opposite second side of the plane and wherein lyingstrips extend through said plane to the beams.
 12. The transport systemaccording to claim 1, wherein a strip is attached to a beam orcross-beam by means of a loop formed by said strip.
 13. Method fordividing a transport container or frame, comprising: providing asubdivision element, comprising upright strips of flexible material anda group of cross-beams; placing the subdivision element in the interiorof the transport container or transport frame, wherein the uprightstrips extend into the interior of the transport container or transportframe, wherein the upright strips divide the transport container ortransport frame into separate compartments, and wherein the uprightstrips are attached to the cross-beams; connecting the cross-beams tothe transport container or the transport frame; wherein the cross-beamsare detachably connected to a top side of the transport container or thetransport frame.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein themethod comprises the additional step of providing lying strips, whereinthe lying strips extend into the interior of the transport container ortransport frame, wherein the upright and lying strips divide thetransport container or transport frame into separate compartments andwherein the upright and lying strips form a subdivision grid.
 15. Themethod according to claim 14, wherein the method comprises theadditional step of providing a first group of uprights and beams and asecond group of uprights and beams, wherein the lying strips arearranged between the first and the second group of uprights and beams,wherein a lying strip at a first end is attached to a beam of the firstgroup and at an opposite second end is attached to a beam of the secondgroup and wherein the uprights of the first and the second group aredetachably connected to the transport container or the transport frame.16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method comprises theadditional step of rearranging the transport container or the transportframe, wherein another subdivision element is provided, placed andreleasably connected to the transport container or the transport frame.17. The use of a transport system according to claim
 1. 18. The useaccording to claim 17, wherein the transport container or the transportframe and the subdivision element are included in a leasing system. 19.Use of a method according to claim 13 for transporting goods using atransport container or frame and a subdivision element.